As communal unrest flared in Malda, West Bengal, a video showing several people destroying vehicles and property by setting fire to them and using other forms of violence is being shared as one from the area.
Those sharing wrote, "Violent scene with individuals using a homemade firearm amid fires and chaos. Reports confirm a mob allegedly targeting Hindu-owned shops escalating tensions in West Bengal." (sic.)
What we found: We divided the video into multiple screenshots and then a Google reverse image search on some of them.
Its results showed us a video posted on the on the official YouTube channel of Prothom Alo, a media organization from Bangladesh, shared on 27 November 2023.
The video was titled in “Torchlight procession and vehicle vandalism in support of the blockade in Sylhet | Sylhet." (sic.)
Following this clue, we performed a keyword search and found an article by Sylhet Mirror article from November 2023. It included similar visuals as the viral video.
The report stated that a torch rally in the Subidbazar area of Sylhet, organised during a 48-hour blockade by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allied factions, escalated into violence. Demonstrators damaged vehicles and ignited rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, and an ambulance, creating chaos among residents.
West Bengal police clarifies: We went through the state police's X page and found a post from 28 March which debunked the claim.
The police noted the viral video showed events from November 2023 in Bangladesh and was unrelated to the incident in Malda.
It additionally mentioned that the current situation in Malda was under control.
Malda violence: Thirty-four people have been arrested so far for the communal violence that took place in Malda, recently.
A clash started after a preparatory rally for Ram Navami passed a local mosque, and some people alleged that firecrackers were thrown near the place of worship.
This led to protests and clashes between the two communities, resulting in the ransacking of public vehicles and shops.
The administration has responded by suspending internet, issuing prohibitory orders, and deploying a large police force in the area.
The situation is now under control, with the administration has called for a peace committee meeting involving both communities, as reported by the Indian Express.
Conclusion: A video from Bangladesh dating back to 2023 showing violence has gone viral as a recent clip from Malda.
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